System for mounting tiles

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a simple, lightweight, cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and strong system for mounting solar panel tiles (or other tiles/panels) over a roof (surface). The system includes frames (footage) parallelly positioned over the surface using reference bars passing through the frames, and bolts/screws to couple the frames to the surface. The frames include C-shaped grooves at both ends. Each groove is configured with a flat spring that is coupled to the grooves using a spring fixing bracket. Further, Z-shaped clamps are coupled at the bottom surface of the tiles to form a tile assembly. The spring is adapted to be pressed upon application of a force while mounting the tile assembly in the frames, which allows one side of the tile assembly, and the Z-shaped clamp on the other side of the tile assembly to be accommodated and locked in the two opposite C-shaped grooves of the frames.

We claim: 
     
       1. A system for mounting tiles, the system comprising:
 at least two frames, each comprising a C-shaped groove configured at a first end and a second end of the corresponding frames, wherein the at least two frames are adapted to be removably configured over a surface such that two adjacent frames among the at least two frames are extending parallelly and spaced apart by a predefined distance therebetween based on a dimension of one or more tiles to be mounted thereon; 
 one or more Z-shaped clamp coupled at predefined positions on a bottom surface at a first end of each of the one or more tiles to form a corresponding tile assembly; and 
 a spring-lock mechanism configured with each of the C-shaped groove of the at least two frames, wherein the spring-lock mechanism is adapted to facilitate mounting and locking of the tile assembly in the at least two frames such that the one or more Z-shaped clamp at the first end of the tile assembly is engaged with the C-shaped groove at the first end of the two adjacent frames, and a second end of the corresponding tile assembly is engaged with the C-shaped groove at the second end of the two adjacent frames. 
 
     
     
       2. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spring-lock mechanism comprises a spring configured with each of the C-shaped grooves, wherein the spring is adapted to be pressed upon application of a predefined pressure during mounting of the second end of the tile assembly in the C-shaped grooves on the second end of the two adjacent frames, which facilitates mounting and locking of the one or more Z-shaped clamp of the corresponding tile assembly in the C-shaped groove at the first end of the two adjacent frames. 
     
     
       3. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spring is a flat spring having a first set of notches, which is adapted to be coupled to the C-shaped groove using a spring fixing bracket, wherein the spring and the spring fixing bracket are made of SS-304 material; and wherein the spring fixing bracket comprises:
 a flat strip having edges hem bent to facilitate coupling of the spring fixing bracket with a second set of notches provided on the C-shaped groove, and 
 a set of slots that engages with and holds the first set of notches of the flat spring to facilitate coupling of the flat spring to the spring fixing bracket. 
 
     
     
       4. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two frames comprises a plurality of vents that facilitate any or a combination of:
 allowing air to flow therethrough to keep bottom of the one or more tiles cool; and 
 allowing one or more cables to pass therethrough to keep the one or more cables beneath the one or more tiles. 
 
     
     
       5. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two frames comprises:
 a U-shaped rectangular groove on a top surface and having a slanting profile extending from the first end towards the second end of the corresponding frame; 
 one C-shaped groove at the second end; and 
 two C-shaped grooves at the first end with a gap therebetween. 
 
     
     
       6. The system as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the system comprises:
 a gasket adapted to configured in the U-shaped rectangular groove of the at least two frames such that one end of the gasket is at the second end of the corresponding frame, and another end of the gasket extends through the gap between the two C-shaped grooves provided at the first end of the corresponding frame; and 
 a rubber attached at least at one of the edges of the one or more tiles; 
 wherein the gasket and the rubber are made of a sealing material selected from silicone rubber, EPDM, and neoprene, which provides support to the tile assembly, prevents the one or more tiles from damages due to external load, and makes the system leak-proof and weather-resistant. 
 
     
     
       7. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the at least two frames comprises a set of bar holes, and a set of bar grooves, which are adapted to allow a longitudinal reference bar to pass therethrough, and wherein a set of the reference bars passes through a row of the parallelly placed frames through any or a combination of the corresponding bar holes, and the bar grooves, to provide stability and support to the system. 
     
     
       8. The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein two or more adjacent rows of the at least two frames are configured parallel and adjacent to each other over the surface using the set of the reference bars such that at least one of the reference bars passes through the set of bar holes associated with the frames of one of the adjacent rows, and the set of bar grooves associated with the frames of the other adjacent row. 
     
     
       9. The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein
 the at least two frames are made of a first material selected from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), metals, fire-retardant plastics, and fire-retardant materials; 
 the reference bar is made of a second material selected from Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), metals, fire-retardant plastics, and fire-retardant materials; and 
 any or a combination of a fire-resistant underlayment and a gypsum board are configured over the surface, and the system is configured there over to improve fire resistance capability of the system. 
 
     
     
       10. The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more tiles is selected from any or a combination of solar panel tile, glass panel, and roof panel, aesthetic panels, and wherein the surface is associated with an area of interest selected from a roof of a building, balcony of a building, park, and land.